Strategic Engagement And Special Projects Coordinator

World Food Programme; Manila; On-site; PHP 2,009,000 - 2,902,000; Part time

Job summary

World Food Programme in Manila seeks a Strategic Engagement and Special Projects Coordinator to support senior leadership with strategic engagement, partnerships, and innovation initiatives. The role focuses on translating policy into practical action and coordinating cross‑unit workstreams to advance programmatic priorities.

The position requires strong analytical and communication skills, experience with government and donors, and the ability to manage multiple strategic initiatives in a

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field as listed.
• 5–10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience supporting senior leadership in development or humanitarian contexts.
• Experience in partnership development, proposals, or innovative design.
• Exposure to government engagement in middle‑income or transition contexts.

Responsibilities

• Support strategic engagement with government, donors, IFIs and private sector partners.
• Provide political economy insights, background analyses and stakeholder mapping.
• Participate in external forums and meetings with proper follow‑up.
• Translate policies and frameworks into audience‑appropriate language.
• Coordinate internal alignment between Programme, Partnerships and other units.
• Track progress on special projects and assist with problem‑solving.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

Written communication

Verbal communication

Political judgement

Collaborative

Education

Advanced university degree in International Relations/Development/Public Policy/Political Science/Business Admin or related field

Job description

Job Description:

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

19 November 2026-23:59-GMT+08:00 Philippine Standard Time (Manila)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of extreme weather shocks.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

In the Philippines, WFP’s efforts are guided by its work outlined in the Philippines Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2024-2028. WFP focuses on strengthening government systems at the national, local government unit and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) levels to further build the resilience of vulnerable individuals and communities.

The CSP is aligned with national strategies and policies as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Framework and is guided by three interrelated outcomes:

• By 2028, communities exposed to shocks and stressors in the Philippines are better able to meet food, nutrition and other essential needs with inclusive and equitable emergency preparedness and response capacity at the national and local levels.
• By 2028, communities vulnerable to food and nutrition insecurity in the Philippines are more resilient and can better manage risks affecting human capital gains and food systems, inclusively and equitably.
• The Government and partners in the Philippines access WFP services that augment their interventions, upon request.

POSITION DETAILS

JOB TITLE: Programme Policy Officer (Strategic Engagement and Special Projects Coordinator)

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Regular Consultant

JOB GRADE: CST-II

UNIT/ DIVISION: Office of the Representative and Country Director

DUTY STATION: Manila, Philippines

DURATION: 11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

WFP Philippines operates in a dynamic context characterized by recurring climate shocks, evolving government priorities, and a diverse partner ecosystem that includes government institutions, development partners, IFIs, civil society, and a growing private sector. To navigate this environment effectively, the Country Office requires strong internal coordination, forward-looking engagement, and the ability to develop and operationalize new ideas in close alignment with senior leadership and programme teams.

To support this, the Country Director seeks a Strategic Engagement and Special Projects Coordinator to work within the Office of the Country Director. The position will report directly to the Country Director and provide strategic, analytical, and coordination support across partnerships, advocacy, and innovation-focused initiatives, helping translate leadership priorities into concrete actions, pilots, and partnerships.

Under the direction of the Country Director, the role‑holder will:

• Support strategic engagement with government as well as in providing analytical inputs into pursuing new partnerships opportunities with IFIs, additional donor countries and the private sector in coordination with the Partnerships Unit and other relevant technical units.
• Contribute to the development of new partnership and business development opportunities together with the Partnerships team, particularly innovative and private‑sector–oriented initiatives with a particular emphasis on providing additional analytical insights to guide others.
• Act as a thought partner to senior management, helping refine ideas and working with technical teams to move them into implementation
• Work closely with and support the strengthening of the Partnerships function, in close collaboration with the Head of Partnerships, with a particular focus on imparting WFP knowledge and understanding of WFP beyond the scope of the Philippines.
• Coordinate selected cross‑cutting or time‑bound special projects that require close engagement with senior management and multiple teams

The role is designed to complement existing leadership and partnership structures, strengthening coherence, follow‑through, and strategic focus across the Country Office, including the Cotabato Field Office and other sub‑national presence.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities (not all-inclusive)

A. Strategic Engagement and Senior Management Support

• Support the Country Director and Deputy Country Director, in close collaboration with the Heads of Partnerships, Programme, EPR and the Cotabato Sub‑Office in structured engagement with government counterparts, donors, IFIs, and selected private sector actors.
• Contribute political economy insights, background analysis, and stakeholder mapping to inform senior‑level engagement and positioning.
• Participate, as delegated, in selected external forums and meetings, ensuring appropriate follow‑up and internal coordination.
• Act as a resource person and sounding board for the Country Director, Deputy Country Director, and other senior staff on emerging ideas, partnership concepts, and external positioning, including with government.
• Help translate WFP policies, frameworks, and technical approaches into clear, audience‑appropriate language for government, donors, and private sector actors.
• Support internal alignment by facilitating coordination between Programme, Partnerships, and other units around strategic initiatives.
• Contribute to the broader enhancement of and support to the Partnerships function in coordination with the CD to provide surge support during period of peak demands; bring a solid global perspective to WFP partnerships to mentor/support the recently recruited Head of Partnerships and provide analytical and strategic insights into various engagement strategies.

B. Special Projects and Innovation Support

• Coordinate the development and early implementation of selected strategic or innovative initiatives identified by senior management.
• Support programme teams to move ideas from concept to pilot stage by helping clarify strategic objectives, partnership roles, and implementation pathways.
• Track progress on assigned special projects, flag bottlenecks, and support problem‑solving with relevant stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education

• Advanced university degree in International Relations, Development Studies, Public Policy, Political Science, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field.

Experience

• At least 5–10 years of relevant professional experience in areas such as programme design and implementation, strategic advisory support, advocacy, or business development.
• Demonstrated experience supporting senior leadership or management teams in a development or humanitarian organization.
• Experience working on partnership development, proposal preparation, or innovative project design.
• Exposure to government engagement and policy dialogue in middle‑income or transition contexts is an advantage.
• Familiarity with the UN system and WFP’s mandate is desirable.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to connect ideas to practical action.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to tailor messaging to different audiences.
• Sound political judgement and sensitivity, with an understanding of how to operate effectively in complex stakeholder environments.
• Collaborative working style, with demonstrated ability to support and complement existing roles and teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently under the guidance of senior management.

Language

• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English.

WFP Leadership Framework

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: [e-mail]

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.